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Arsenal Academy graduate Daniel Ballard has achieved promotion to the Premier League following Sunderland's 2-1 play-off final victory over Sheffield United.
The Northern Ireland international was a key part of the Black Cats' play-off journey, playing every minute of the semi-finals and final. He came up with the goods in the second leg of the semi against Coventry City to head in an aggregate winner in stoppage time of extra-time and send his side into the final at Wembley Stadium.
Ballard had struggled with injury throughout the campaign, but performed brilliantly when available for Sunderland and he has now achieved the greatest feat for a Championship team with promotion to the Premier League.
Daniel Ballard achieves promotion to the Premier League
Ballard found minutes hard to come by as he made just 20 appearances throughout the Championship season due to battling multiple injuries.
He was sidelined with knee and ankle injuries in the early stages of the campaign before missing most of the run-in with a hamstring issue. The defender returned to the Sunderland side for the final game of the season, a 1-0 defeat to Queens Park Rangers.
Arsenal's Hale End graduate managed to start the first leg of the play-off semi-final against Coventry City and helped his team to a 2-1 win. He went onto complete 120 minutes in the second leg and with his side trailing on the night and destined for a penalty shootout, he rose highest to head in off the underside of the crossbar in the final seconds of added time and send the Black Cats into the final.
The defender started the final and helped his side keep out a Sheffield United side, who did go 1-0 up but struggled to add a second before Sunderland completed a turnaround with another late winner.
Ballard made 59 appearances for Arsenal's Under-18 and Under-23 sides and spent time on loan with Swindon Town, Blackpool and Millwall before completing a permanent move to Sunderland ahead of the 2022/23 season.
He joined the club in 2007 and became involved with the Gunners first team, making appearances throughout pre-season campaigns under Mikel Arteta, but failing to manage his senior debut.
He follows in the footsteps of fellow Hale End graduate Harry Clarke, who also completed a permanent transfer away from north London before being promoted to the Premier League. Clarke did so with Ipswich Town, helping them achieve back-to-back promotions. He failed to make an impact in the Prem however and spent the second half of the season on loan at Sheffield United, albeit struggling with injury.
Having extended his contract last summer, Ballard will be looking to help Sunderland maintain their place in the Premier League as they return to England's top flight for the first time since 2017. He could come up against his former side next season.